Card reverting and racing apparatus in a dobby machine

ABSTRACT

A card reverting and racing apparatus includes a lever which is operable to be moved into a position to effect reversing of a card cylinder a predetermined angular amount so that a pick finding action may be effected and to be moved into another position to provide for free rotation of the card cylinder so that charging of the card cylinder may be effected. The provision of one lever for effecting both of the above mentioned operations results in a compact construction and readily operable arrangement.

United States Patent 1 Koyama l l CARD REVERTING AND RACING APPARATUS [N A BOBBY MACHINE {75} inventor: Akira Koyama, Nagoya Japan [73] Assignee: Yamada Dobby Co.. Ltd., Nagoya Japan [22) Filed: July 9, 1974 [21] Appl. No: 486,937

[4 1 July 22, 1975 Fumat 139/324 Jullard 139/1 Primary Examiner-Henry S Jaudon Attorney. Agent. or Firm-Frank J. Jordan [57] ABSTRACT A card reverting and racing apparatus includes a lever which is operable to be moved into a position to effect reversing of a card cylinder at predetermined angular amount so that a pick finding action may be effected and to be moved into another position to provide for free rotation of the card cylinder so that charging of the card cylinder may be effected The provision of one lever for effecting both of the above mentioned operations results in a compact construction and readily operable arrangement 13 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED JUL 2 2 an sum 3 12 10 9s 7,, 9 H95 15 am 13 I we 13 W fiz 13a max, 0

a l CARD REVERTING AND'RACING APPARATUS IN A DOBBY MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention g The present invention relates to a card reverting and racing apparatus as utilized in a dobby machine. and more particularly to an apparatus which can easily perform secure reverting action and free racing of a card cylinder in a combined constructional arrangement.

2. Description of the Prior Art In a weaving operation performed with a dobby machine. in order to pull away several pieces of warp-resulting from a mistake in the weaving. the operation of the weaving machine is stopped and a shedding operation of the dobby machine is reverted by means of a reverting apparatus which moves a card cylinder by half a pitch for sequential reverse shedding action. In this 7 regard. conventional and known reverting apparatus are complicated in structure and not satisfactorily operable.

Moreover. to provide for a racing action of a card in conventional and known arrangements. a card cylinder is manually raced with a carrying pin clutch. which results in a complicated operation and insufficidnt operability. I

Accordingly. an object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of known prior art arrangements and to provide an apparatus'for effecting suitable pick finding action and easy racing in a dobby machine wherein the apparatus is combined in a compact structure comprising a mechanism for reversibly moving a card cylinder by half a pitch of the card and a mechanism for racing the card, and wherein the change in operation can be'readily effected by means of moving a single lever. that is. by first moving the lever for the reverting action and by then further mov ing the same lever forthe racing action.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a slide movable by setting a lever at a first step pulling position, whereby a card cylinder can be reverted a prescribed amount for reverse shedding action so as to facilitate a suitable pick finding operation.

A further object of'the present invention is to provide for moving a lever to a second step pulling position so that a slide is fully rotated together with a shaft and a card cylinder is thereby rotated so as to facilitate charging of the card. I

Yet a further object of the present inventionis to provide for reverting action and free racing ofa card cylinder which can be selectively and readily effected by operation of a single lever in acompact and simple structure as one body.

Other features which are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described in relationship to specific embodiments, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown. since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without department from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

The construction and operation of the invention, however. together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A card reverting and racing apparatus as utilized in ,connection with a card cylinder on a Dobby machine includes a shaft operatively connected to the card cylinder and a clutch sleeverotatably mounted on the shaft. A plurality of axial holes are provided in the clutch sleeve and a drive shaft is opcratively connected to the clutch sleeve for rotating the latter. A slide is rotatably connected to the shaft and longitudinally slidable on the shaft and clutch pins are provided on the slide. The slide has a first longitudinal position in which the pins are inserted in some of the holes in the clutch sleeve. The slide also has a second longitudinal position in which the pins are withdrawn from the holes and the slide is rotatable relative to the clutch sleeve a limited amount to rotational displace the pins the aforementioned limited amount so that the pins may be subsequently inserted in different holes in the clutch sleeve. The slide further has .a third longitudinal portion wherein the pins are free and clear of the clutch sleeve so thatthe slide and shaft are freely rotatable.

: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an apparatus according to the present invention .wherein the clutch pin is shown inserted in the clutch sleeve and the lever is shown in a vertical position.

FIG. 2 is aplan view of the plate for setting the position of the lever shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the clutch sleeve.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the attachment of the lever to the slide.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating an operable position in which the shaft can be rotated by half a pitch of a card at a first step pulling action of the lever.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating another operable position in which the shaft is in a racing position by disengagement of the clutch at a second step pulling action of the lever.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, a gear I mounted on a drive shaft meshes with a gear 3 rotatably mounted on a shaft 2. The gear 3 has a stem portion rotatably mounted on a base 5 through a bearing 4. On the circumference of the left side of the stem portion of the gear 3 there is secured a clutch sleeve 6 which can be rotated as the drive shaft rotates.

As shown in FIG. 3, the clutch sleeve 6 comprises a channel 621 having channel walls 6a, 6 0'. Located within the channel 621 are a pair of holes 612, 6b arranged diametrically on opposite sides of the center of clutch sleeve 6. A similar pair of holes 6c. 6c are also arranged diametrically on opposite sides of the center.

of the clutch sleeve 6 but are arranged on a diametrical line angula-rly displaced relative to the diametrical line on which the holes 619. 6b are located. As shown in FIG. 1, a slide 7 is arranged to the left side of the clutch sleeve 6 in a manner such that the slide 7 is slidable relative tothe shaft 2 through a spline 2a. On the end surface of the slide 7 there are arranged two opposed clutch pins 8 which are selectively insertable in the holes 612. 6b or 6r, 6:" of the clutch sleeve 6.

On the outer circumference of the slide 7 there are arranged teeth 71: which mesh with teeth 91: arranged on the inner circumference of a cover 9.

A lever I has a ring portion which encircles the outer circumference of the slide 7 and a handle lllu is provided below the ring portion ll). Within the ring portion of the lever 10 there are mounted slip elements II (FIG. 4) which slide in a groove of the slide 7 so that the lever 10 does not rotate in spite of the rotation of the slide 7. In addition the upper portion of the lever I0 is pivoted to a housing I2 connected with the cover 9, With this construction, when the handle I041 is pivoted towards the center of the shaft 2. the slide 7 slides longitudinally along the shaft 2.

On the left end of the shaft 2 there is mounted a stop I3 which is provided with a first step portion 13a and a second step portion 13b so as to hold the slide 7 at a first sliding position and a second position respectively by contact between a pin I411 fixed to a knobsleeve 14 which is slidably mounted on the shaft 2 and the first step portion I31: or the second portion 13b. The slide 7 is urged towards the clutch sleeve 6 by the action of a spring 15 arranged between the knob sleeve I4 and the slide 7.

A plate 16 is attached to the base 5. As shown in FIG. 2. at one end of the plate [6 there is provided a protruding portion 16:: at the center thereof. two indented portions 16h, I6r' at both sides of 16a. and two protruding I611. 160 at the outside of 16!), I60. The handle [0:1 is movable from the indented portion 16!). passing over the protruding portion 161:. to the indented portion I60. whereby in so doing. the slide 7 is rotated by 22.5 in a radial plane of the shaft 2, such rotation corresponding to a one-half pitch of a card.

At the right hand side ofthe shaft 2 there is rotatably arranged a card cylinder 18 operatively connected through an Oldham's coupling 17.

The operation of the present invention will now be set forth.

PHASE SHIFTING OPERATION (PICK FINDING) The card cylinder 18 is forwardly or reversely rotated by one-half pitch of the card for suitable pick finding. When the handle 10a of the lever 10 shown in FIG. I is located in the indented portion 16b of the plate 16 as shown in FIG. 2. the pin 14a of the knob I4 is located in the first step portion 130 of the stop 13, so that the heads of the clutch pins 8 attached to the slide 7 are disposed in holes 6r. 6c. of the clutch sleeve 6 and the slide 7 is held in its longitudinal position by the biasing action of the spring 15.

When the handle 10a of the lever 10 is located in the indented portion 16b of the plate 16 and then moved in the direction of arrow (1" as Shown in FIG. 2, the slide 7 is moved to the left in opposition to the bias of spring 15 so that the clutch pins 8 are slipped out of the holes 61- and 6c of the clutch sleeve 6, In this condition. the left end of the slide 7 contacts the right end of the knobsleeve 14 so as to stop the lever 10, and the heads or ends of the clutch pins 8 do not slip out of the channel 6A of the clutch sleeve 6. At the same time. the teeth 7a in the outer circumference of the slide 7 mesh with the teeth 9a on the inner circumference of the cover 9.

Further. when the handle l0u is moved in the direction of arrow h as shown in FIG. 2, the slide 7 is rotated about the axis of the shaft 2 until the two clutch pins 8 contact respectively the walls 6a. 6A of the channel 6a of the clutch sleeve 6 as shown in FIG. 3. During this latter rotation of the slide 7, the outer teeth 7:: of slide 7 mesh with the inner teeth 9:: of the cover 9 so that the shaft 2 is rotated by V2 45 or 22% corresponding to half a pitch of the card. whereby the card cylinder I8 is also rotated by half a pitch through the Oldhams coupling 17. Since the handle 10a is slanted to the left during this moving or shifting operation. the handle 10a does not touch the protruding portion 16:: of the plate I as shown in FIG. 2.

hen the handle 10a is subsequently moved in the direction of arrow 0 as shown in FIG. 2, the slide 7 is moved to the right so as to insert the clutch pins 8 in the other set of holes 6b. 6b of the clutch sleeve 6.

As described above, the card cylinder 18 can be rotated by half a pitch of the card in a forward and reverse direction so as to suitably perform the pick finding action.

CARD RACING OPERATION Referring to FIG. 6, when the pin 14a of the knobsleeve 14 is located at the step portion 13b of the stop 13, the knob-sleeve 14 is moved to the left so that the lever 10 is slanted further to the left than in the case of the aforementioned pick finding operation until the slide 7 contacts the knob-sleeve 14. During this operation the clutch pins 8 are slipped out of the channel 6A of the clutch sleeve 6 and also the handle 10a of the lever Iqis slipped beyond both protruding portions 16d. 16a of the plate 16 shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the clutch pins 8 are free of the clutch sleeve 6. However, in this condition. since the teeth 7a of the slide 7 mesh with the teeth 91: of the cover 9, rotation of the handle IOa of the lever 10 in the revolvable direction of the shaft 2 will rotate the shaft 2, the slide 7, the cover 9, the lever 1!), the housing 12, the stop 13, the knob 14 and the spring 15 as a body. whereby the card cylinder i8 is rotated through the Oldham's coupling 17. Thus it can be seen that the and cylinder I8 can be readily rotated in a racing operation by rotation of the handle 10a.

As described above. according to the present invention. the lever 10 is set at a position of the plate 16 for shifting by half a pitch whereby the card cylinder can be readily rotated forwards or backwards so as to perform a suitable pick finding action.

When the same lever is further pivoted or slanted and is moved out from the plate 16, the clutch is readily disengaged. Therefore. by rotation of the lever 10 in this condition, the card cylinder can be raced freely and easily. Moreover, since the reverting action of the card can be effected only by the lever operation in a com bined construction. a separate arrangement ofa reverting apparatus and a racing apparatus is not necessary. and the operation can be readily performed with the same lever, thereby affording an overall compact construction and readily operable arrangement.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction. and arrangements of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form heretofore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A card reverting and racing apparatus as utilized in connection with a card cylinder on a dobby machine, the combination comprising a shaft operatively connected to said card cylinder, a clutch sleeve rotatably mounted on said shaft. means defining a plurality of axial holes in said clutch sleeve, a drive shaft means operatively connected to said clutch sleeve for rotating the latter, a slide rotatably connected to said shaft and longitudinally slidable on said shaft. pins on said slide. lever means operably connected to said slide and operable to longitudinally slide said slide on said shaft upon pivotal movement of said lever means. said slide having a first longitudinal position in which said pins are inserted in some of said holes in said clutch sleeve. said slide having a second longitudinal position in which said pins are withdrawn from said holes and said slide is rotatable relative to said clutch sleeve a limited amount to rotational displace said limited amount so that the pins may be subsequently inserted in different holes in said clutch sleeve, said slide having a third longitudinal position wherein said pins are free and clear of said clutch sleeve so that the slide and shaft are freely rotatable, said lever means being operable to slide said slide to said first, second. and third longitudinal positions.

2. A card reverting and racing apparatus as utilized in connection with a card cylinder on a dobby machine. the combination comprising a shaft operatively connected to said card cylinder, a clutch sleeve rotatably mounted on said shaft, a drive shaft means operatively connected to said clutch sleeve for rotating the latter, said clutch sleeve having a transverse channel and means defining axial holes located at different angular positions. a slide rotatable connected to said shaft and longitudinally slidable on said shaft, lever means opera bly connected to said slide and operable to longitudinally slide said slide on said shaft upon pivotal movement of said lever means, a cover means having internal gear teeth. said slide being slidable into first, sec 0nd, and third operative positions by said lever means whereby in said first operative position said gear teeth on said slide and said gear teeth on said cover are disengaged and in said second and third operative positions said gear teeth are engaged. clutch pins carried in said slide and insertable or withdrawable from said holes in said clutch sleeve, stop means mounted on said shaft and being adjustable between a first and a second position to selectively predetermine the second and third longitudinal positions of said slide, said clutch pins being inserted in said holes in said clutch sleeve when said slide is in said first operative position, said clutch pins being withdrawn from said holes in said clutch sleeve when said slide is in said second operative position whereby the shaft may be rotated by rotating the slide a predetermined angular amount corresponding to the difference in the angular position of said holes. the ends of said clutch pins being disposed in said transverse channel when said slide is in said second operative position. the ends of said clutch pins being withdrawn from said channel when said slide is in said third operative position whereby in the latter position. the sleeve and shaft may be freely rotated independently of said drive shaft means.

3. A card reverting and racing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said stop means includes a stop member fixed to one end of said shaft and having a first step part and a second step part. said stop means further comprising a sleeve slidably mounted on the end of said shaft and having a stop element adaptable to engage either said first step part or said second step part to predetermine said second and third longitudinal positions of said slide. said stop sleeve being adjustable to either one of two positions wherein in one position. said first step part engages said stop element and in another position said second step part engages said stop element.

4. A card reverting and racing apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising a knob fixed to said sleeve, and biasing means between said knob and said slide for biasing said slide in said first operative position.

5. A card reverting and racing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein a reverting action of said cylinder is effected by disposing said stop element to engage said first step part of said stop member. moving said slide from said first to said second operative position, rotating said slide relative to said clutch sleeve. and returning said slide to said first operative position as said axial pins are inserted in different holes.

6. A card reverting and racing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said racing action of said card cylinder is effected by disposing said stop element to engage said second step part of said stop member. moving said slide from said second operative position to said third operative position to dispose said axial pins free and clear of said clutch sleeve. whereby said slide and said shaft are freely rotatable.

7. A card reverting and racing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said slide engages said sleeve to predetermine the second and third operative positions of said slide.

8. A card reverting and racing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said transverse channel is disposed in one side face of said clutch sleeve. said axial holes being arranged in said channel, a pair of said holes being located along one diametrical line. another pair of said holes being located along another diametrical line disposed at a different angle relative to the first said diametrical line.

9. A card reverting and racing apparatus according to claim 1 including a spline between said slide and said shaft, said teeth on said slide and said teeth on said cover being engaged when said slide is longitudinally slid from said second to said third position.

10. A card reverting and racing apparatus according to claim 1 including a base for the card reverting and racing apparatus, said cover being rotatably mounted relative to said base.

11. A card reverting and racing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cover means includes a housing, said lever means comprising a lever having an upper portion pivotally connected to said housing and pivotal about an axis extending generally transversely of the axis of said shaft and an operable connection between an intermediate portion of said lever and said slide, said operable connection providing for sliding of said slide on said shaft upon pivotal movement of said lever while providing for rotational movement of said slide relative to said lever. said lower portion of said lever constituting a handle for effecting sliding movement of said slide between said three operative portions and for rotating said slide from one position where said pins are inserted in one set of holes in said clutch sleeve and another position wherein said pins are inserted in another set of holes diametrically spaced from said first set of holes.

12. A card reverting and racing apparatus according to claim ll including means secured to said cover 

1. A card reverting and racing apparatus as utilized in connection with a card cylinder on a dobby machine, the combination comprising a shaft operatively connected to said card cylinder, a clutch sleeve rotatably mounted on said shaft, means defining a plurality of axial holes in said clutch sleeve, a drive shaft means operatively connected to said clutch sleeve for rotating the latter, a slide rotatably connected to said shaft and longitudinally slidable on said shaft, pins on said slide, lever means operably connected to said slide and operable to longitudinally slide said slide on said shaft upon pivotal movement of said lever means, said slide having a first longitudinal position in which said pins are inserted in some of said holes in said clutch sleeve, said slide having a second longitudinal position in which said pins are withdrawn from said holes and said slide is rotatable relative to said clutch sleeve a limited amount to rotational displace said limited amount so that the pins may be subsequently inserted in different holes in said clutch sleeve, said slide having a third longitudinal position wherein said pins are free and clear of said clutch sleeve so that the slide and shaft are freely rotatable, said lever means being operAble to slide said slide to said first, second, and third longitudinal positions.
 2. A card reverting and racing apparatus as utilized in connection with a card cylinder on a dobby machine, the combination comprising a shaft operatively connected to said card cylinder, a clutch sleeve rotatably mounted on said shaft, a drive shaft means operatively connected to said clutch sleeve for rotating the latter, said clutch sleeve having a transverse channel and means defining axial holes located at different angular positions, a slide rotatable connected to said shaft and longitudinally slidable on said shaft, lever means operably connected to said slide and operable to longitudinally slide said slide on said shaft upon pivotal movement of said lever means, a cover means having internal gear teeth, said slide being slidable into first, second, and third operative positions by said lever means whereby in said first operative position said gear teeth on said slide and said gear teeth on said cover are disengaged and in said second and third operative positions said gear teeth are engaged, clutch pins carried in said slide and insertable or withdrawable from said holes in said clutch sleeve, stop means mounted on said shaft and being adjustable between a first and a second position to selectively predetermine the second and third longitudinal positions of said slide, said clutch pins being inserted in said holes in said clutch sleeve when said slide is in said first operative position, said clutch pins being withdrawn from said holes in said clutch sleeve when said slide is in said second operative position whereby the shaft may be rotated by rotating the slide a predetermined angular amount corresponding to the difference in the angular position of said holes, the ends of said clutch pins being disposed in said transverse channel when said slide is in said second operative position, the ends of said clutch pins being withdrawn from said channel when said slide is in said third operative position whereby in the latter position, the sleeve and shaft may be freely rotated independently of said drive shaft means.
 3. A card reverting and racing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said stop means includes a stop member fixed to one end of said shaft and having a first step part and a second step part, said stop means further comprising a sleeve slidably mounted on the end of said shaft and having a stop element adaptable to engage either said first step part or said second step part to predetermine said second and third longitudinal positions of said slide, said stop sleeve being adjustable to either one of two positions wherein in one position, said first step part engages said stop element and in another position said second step part engages said stop element.
 4. A card reverting and racing apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising a knob fixed to said sleeve, and biasing means between said knob and said slide for biasing said slide in said first operative position.
 5. A card reverting and racing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein a reverting action of said cylinder is effected by disposing said stop element to engage said first step part of said stop member, moving said slide from said first to said second operative position, rotating said slide relative to said clutch sleeve, and returning said slide to said first operative position as said axial pins are inserted in different holes.
 6. A card reverting and racing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said racing action of said card cylinder is effected by disposing said stop element to engage said second step part of said stop member, moving said slide from said second operative position to said third operative position to dispose said axial pins free and clear of said clutch sleeve, whereby said slide and said shaft are freely rotatable.
 7. A card reverting and racing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said slide engages said sleeve to predetermine the second and third operative positions of said slide.
 8. A card reverting and racing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said transverse channel is disposed in one side face of said clutch sleeve, said axial holes being arranged in said channel, a pair of said holes being located along one diametrical line, another pair of said holes being located along another diametrical line disposed at a different angle relative to the first said diametrical line.
 9. A card reverting and racing apparatus according to claim 1 including a spline between said slide and said shaft, said teeth on said slide and said teeth on said cover being engaged when said slide is longitudinally slid from said second to said third position.
 10. A card reverting and racing apparatus according to claim 1 including a base for the card reverting and racing apparatus, said cover being rotatably mounted relative to said base.
 11. A card reverting and racing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cover means includes a housing, said lever means comprising a lever having an upper portion pivotally connected to said housing and pivotal about an axis extending generally transversely of the axis of said shaft and an operable connection between an intermediate portion of said lever and said slide, said operable connection providing for sliding of said slide on said shaft upon pivotal movement of said lever while providing for rotational movement of said slide relative to said lever, said lower portion of said lever constituting a handle for effecting sliding movement of said slide between said three operative portions and for rotating said slide from one position where said pins are inserted in one set of holes in said clutch sleeve and another position wherein said pins are inserted in another set of holes diametrically spaced from said first set of holes.
 12. A card reverting and racing apparatus according to claim 11 including means secured to said cover means for engaging said lever at various operable positions of said lever.
 13. A card reverting and racing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said transverse channel has side walls, said side walls being adapted to engage said axial pins and predetermine the aligned position of said axial pins with said holes. 